Shang-Chi will make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in next year's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which will have the honor of being Marvel Studios' first film to have a main character of Asian origin. While it's currently unknown what Simu Liu's take on the title character will look like, Marvel Studios' co-founder and former Co-Head of Visual Development Charlie Wen recently shared his own unofficial fan design for Marvel Comics' Master of Kung Fu.
Uploaded to Wen's Instagram, the design seems to based on the character's current look in the comics, albeit with some changes like a headband and a more leathery look.
In the description, Wen talked about how Marvel introducing an Asian superhero "couldn't come at a better time." Wen also discussed how Shang-Chi is inspired by the late Bruce Lee, with even the character's outfit being influenced by Lee's yellow bodysuit from Game of Death, one of Lee's final films that was released five years following his passing in 1973.
"Bruce’s contribution to the martial arts world and his inspiration to generations of greats in the sport of fighting is unparalleled," Wen wrote. "But an even greater gift from his life was that he refused to let the establishment prevent him from teaching 'westerners.' He taught anyone that wanted to learn. He wanted to share with them the beauty of his culture. And he did just that. His showed [greatness] by sharing his culture to the world."
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Daniel Callaham, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings stars Simu Liu, Tony Leung and Awkwafina. The film arrives in theaters May 7, 2021.